Biking The United States
Remember when local activist Jesse Lambert rode his skateboard from Atlantic City to Cape May last year in order to raise funds for a mission trip to Mozambique, Africa? Well, he and wife Leigha are at it again — only this time, the mode of transportation is bicycles, the goal is traversing the entire length of the US, and the point is to raise money for Living Water International, the charity organization that builds wells in third world countries.

We asked the Lamberts, who set off on September 30, for a progress update last week, during the Virginia to North Carolina leg of their journey. “The trip has been so much fun so far,” Jesse said. “We have met so many nice people along the way. Complete strangers have given us places to sleep and food to eat, and the scenery is beautiful.”

Aside from the challenge of dealing with overly aggressive drivers, most adventures have been happy ones. “We spent one day at a house along the Chesapeake Bay in Eastern Shore, Virginia,” Jesse said. “We got to go kayaking, and watch bald eagles soar above the trees. The owner of the house had a beautiful yellow lab, which made the day even better.”

As for how long the couple will be on the road? “This trip is going to take all fall and winter,” Jesse said. “Because we aren’t concerned with how fast we are going, we have been averaging about 30-40 miles a day. We know there will be times without much to see, and we will cover more miles then, but for now, we are enjoying the ride.”

If you’d like to receive more updates, visit @bikeamerica1 on Twitter, or facebook.com/jesse.video. To make a donation to Living Water International — there is no amount too small — visit crowdrise.com/bikeamerica. The very best of luck, guys! Stay safe.

Drink It Up
The government shutdown has got most people — on all sides of the political spectrum — annoyed at best, irate at worst, and understandably so. You know what’s a lot cooler than government shutdowns? Government-inspired cocktails or, more specifically, presidential-inspired cocktails.
These are what’s being served at Congress Hall in celebration of Benjamin Harrison. On November 6, it will be 125 years since he was elected as president and selected Congress Hall as the Summer White House, from where he conducted important affairs of state.

Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan also summered at the hotel, so it’s only appropriate that each new drink commemorate one of these men. Look for The General, The New Englander, and The Bachelor on the Brown Room’s menu, and if you don’t know which drink coincides with which president, you may want to brush up on your history…

Don’t Forget!
The drawing for the winner of the raffle to benefit Frank Perillo will take place between 3pm and 4pm on October 20 at Lucky Bones restaurant. Frank was a captain for New York City’s MTA in September of 2011, when the planes flew into the World Trade Center. He served as a first responder, on the scene for 11 days. Frank inhaled so much debris during this time, he came down with near-fatal lung conditions, pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis. Fortunately, he received a bilateral lung transplant in May. “It’s like a miracle,” he told Exit Zero. What’s not so good? The costs accrued during a one-month hospital stay, which this raffle will help offset. Among the prizes? A full day of fishing aboard the Over Pour boat and gift certificates to local restaurants. There are still tickets remaining, so hurry and call Jim Schultz and Bob Epaldo, better known as JimBob, at 609-886-7097 to purchase yours.

Birds Of A Feather
The Young Birders Club will host a Young Birders Day at various venues on October 19, with free opportunities for kids to take part in hawk and songbird banding demos. It’s a wonderful chance to meet with learned naturalists and discover what makes Cape May the birding capital of the planet.

Another reason to participate? “Study after study has shown that kids who go out into the natural world are healthier and happier,” Debra Crossley told us, back when she founded the Young Birders in April. “That’s the goal. It’s about enjoying the outdoors, which is such a difficult thing these days with so much time spent on computers.” But even more than that, it’s about cultivating the next generation of conservationists. “These are the wardens of the future,” she said.

Email thebrit1@verizon.net for more information.

The World’s Greatest Bird Show
We already know Cape May is the capital of the birding world. But did you know we’ve got an event — The Cape May Autumn Birding Festival, happening October 25-27 — worthy of such an ornithologically minded town? “It brings thousands of people to Cape May,” says Marleen Murgitroyde, Business and Events Coordinator for Cape May Bird Observatory, which hosts the weekend. And all of these folks can expect boat excursions, hawk banding and monarch tagging demonstrations, field trips to Cape May’s birding hotspots led by acclaimed naturalists, and much more.

But the festival is “not just for birders,” Marleen says. “It’s wildlife based. In Convention Hall, we’ll have live wolves, artists, crafters, and vendors from all over the world, as far as Norway and Britain.” Then there’s the silent auction, which includes such coveted prizes as a birding trip to Puerto Rico valued at $1,500. We’ll be there… will you?

For more information, call 609-884-2736, or visit BirdCapeMay.org.

A Sporty Film Festival
Last year’s Cape May Film Festival featured a movie about ballet, which “didn’t generate much male interest,” according to Cape May Film Society President Dottie Knapp. To appeal to both genders, this year’s festival, happening October 25-27 at the Chalfonte Hotel, includes a talk by CBS sports announcer (and this reporter’s former journalism professor at Saint Joseph’s University) Glen Macnow, once called by Philadelphia magazine the best sportswriter in the city. He authored, along with NFL Hall of Fame Writer Ray Didinger, The Ultimate Book of Sports Movies, and the two writers will be discussing their favorite of these films. “They’ll be showing excerpts from these movies,” Dottie says, “which, of course, aren’t just about sports; they’re about life.” Also on the docket this year? A class on editing your home movies so that they become, rather than “just a mess on your iPhone,” something a bit more watchable; a series of short films for your viewing pleasure; a showing of Oscar-nominee The Beasts of the Southern Wild with a special appearance by the film’s co-producer, Chris Carroll; and, as ever, so much more. “The chairs are hard-bottomed,” Dottie says. “All you need to remember is to bring a pillow to sit on.” Visit njstatefilmfestival.com.

Oyster Roast
On 10/20, expect “the atmosphere to be relaxed,” says Michael Craig of the Washington Inn and Cape May County Beach Plum Association. He’s talking about the local oyster roast, happening at The Cape May Winery on October 20, which the Beach Plum Association has sponsored for three years. This time, all proceeds will benefit The 4-H Foundation of Cape May County. Tickets are $50, and can be purchased by calling 609-884-5697.

Violin and Piano Concert
On 10/19, Access To Art’s “The Passion of Romanticism” will perform at Cape Island Baptist Church on Gurney and Columbia Streets. Call 609-465-3963.

Lighthouse Challenge
From 10/19-10/20, New Jersey Lighthouses, museums and lifesaving stations will be open to the public, and your’e challenged to visit them all. See lighthousechallengenj.org.

Halloween Parade
On 10/20, come for music, entertainment, and dozens of costumes… spooky to kooky. Trick-or-treating starts on the mall beforehand at noon. Parade registration starts at 1:30pm on Perry and Washington Streets. Parade begins at 3pm.

GABLES “Revenge of Sandy” Halloween Party
On 10/26, there will be a DJ, dancing, and snacks at Marq’s Pub. 8-12pm. $15 for member tickets; $18 for non-member tickets. After-party at Martini Beach. Visit gablescapemay.com.

Mermaid (And Man) Silent Art Auction
From 10-29 to 11-3, see (and bid on!) the mermaid depictions of 50 local artists at SOMA NewArt Gallery. All money raised will benefit the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Southern Branch. An artists’ reception will take place on November 1 from 6-9pm.

Trick-Or-Treat At They Physick Estate
On 10/31, some spooky characters are waiting at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, with treats for good little ghosts and goblins and pirates and princesses from 5pm to 7pm. Call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit capemaymac.org.

Sherlock Holmes Weekend
From 11/1-11/3, join Sherlock Holmes and his partner, Dr Watson, for a weekend of mystery and intrigue. Get into the spirit of things by donning Victorian attire. Stalk the gaslit streets in search of clues and compete for the $250 grand prize and a variety of other valuable gifts as you attempt to solve the mystery. Full weekend packages are available at $180 per couple or $95 per person and include the welcome reception, performances, tour, luncheon and gift. Call 609-884-5404.

Exit 0 International Jazz Festival
From 11/8-11/10, the jazz fest is back, bringing world-class musicians from all over the globe to nine different venues on Cape Island, with the showpiece events at Cape May Convention Hall. Check out exit0jazzfest.com for info.

Veterans Day Ceremony
On 11/11, honor our veterans with this special commemorative ceremony, which starts at 11am at the Columbia Avenue monument. For more info, call the city at 609-884-9565.

Holiday Preview Weekend
From 11/22-11/24, get a head start on the holiday season. Santa and his elves have deckede out the Physick Estate with thousands of lights and holiday trimmings. There is food, tours, wine, a tree-lighting ceremony and trolley rides for the kids. Call 609-884-5404.

Playing Now At Cape May Stage
Freud’s Last Session: Psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud pioneered the Id, the Ego and the Superego. Writer C.S. Lewis created The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In this new play, they meet in 1939 as England goes to war against the Nazis. Their evening of electrifying conversation will spark controversy. Tuesdays through Sundays through October 19 at 8pm. Call 609-884-1341.

Playing Soon At Easy Lynne Theater
Holmes and Carter Mysteries: ELTC’s popular vintage-radio style production, complete with live sound effects and commercials, with two great detectives! Sherlock Holmes Adventure of the Copper Beeches about a governess in peril, and Nick Carter and the Strange Dr. Devolo, in which Manhattan millionaires are missing. November 1 and 2 at 8pm.